# US 2017/0280910 A1 · Device and method for the dual control of mechanisms of either drapes or curtains > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0280910 A1 - Document ID: US20170280910A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/917,770 - Filed: 2015-06-11 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-20 - Inventors: MAGNO ALCANTARA TALAVERA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170280910A1 ## CPC - A47H 5/02: Devices for opening and closing curtains - A47H 5/032: Devices with guiding means and draw cords (cord pulleys A47H11/06) - E06B 9/68: Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive - A47H: FURNISHINGS FOR WINDOWS OR DOORS (concerned with the functioning of the door or window E05; roller blinds E06B) - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## Abstract A device that includes a drive roller, in which the cord for the manual control of a mechanism for opening and closing a curtain or blind is partially wound to allow that said mechanism of curtain or blinds can be automated while maintaining the manual control at the same time. ## Claims ### Claim 1 1. A device comprising: a motor; a drive roller coupled to the motor; wherein an end of a cord, which controls a rotating mechanism, is partially wound on a section of the drive roller and the other end of the cord is partially wound on another section of the drive roller. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the drive roller includes one or more sections within the length of the roller, wherein the diameter is larger; and wherein the distance between the sections with larger diameter is greater than the thickness of the cord. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the drive roller also includes a section on each distal end of the length of the drive roller wherein the diameter is larger. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, wherein the ends of the cord are wound in different sections of the drive roller, wherein said sections are between the sections with larger diameter; and wherein one end of the cord is wound in one direction and the other end is wound in the opposite direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein stopping elements, for both directions of movement of the cord, are coupled. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor that permits the rotation of its shaft when it is not energized. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device according to claim 6, wherein a detector of current induced by the manual rotation of the motor is coupled to the motor, wherein said detector is in communication with the microcontroller. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device according to claim 7, wherein the current detector detects the direction of the manual rotation of the motor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device according to claim 8, wherein once the direction of manual rotation is detected, the motor rotates in the same direction for a predetermined period of time or revolution. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein a secondary roller of free rotational movement is coupled at the bottom of the cord. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the drive roller has a layer of anti-skid material. ### Claim 12 A method comprising: determining whether the shaft of a motor has been rotated manually; determining the direction of rotation of the shaft of the motor, thus defining an initial rotation; rotating the motor in the same direction as the initial rotation by a predetermined period of time; and determining whether the shaft of the motor has been rotated manually newly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further includes rotating the motor in the initial direction up to a predetermined limit defined by stopping elements when the new manual rotation has not been determined. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the rotation of the motor is performed in predetermined periods of time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further includes determining whether the shaft of the motor has been newly rotated manually after each period of time. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the motor stops once it is determined that the shaft of the motor has been newly rotated manually in an opposite direction to the initial direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined period of time changes upon determining that the shaft of the motor has been newly rotated manually in the same direction to the initial direction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further includes determining whether the rotation has reached a predetermined limit, defined by stopping elements, during the rotation of the motor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further includes determining whether the rotation has reached a predetermined limit, defined by stopping elements, before determining whether the shaft of the motor has been rotated manually. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the method further includes rotating the motor in the opposite direction of the predetermined limit reached, upon determining that the shaft of the motor has been rotated manually.